Battery terminal construction



June T20, 195o H D, wlLsON 2,512,080

BATTERY TERMINAL CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1945 Fig. 4 36 Fig. 5 Fig. 6

INVENToR. .Flgl 7 HARLAND D. WILSON Patented June 20, 1950 UNITED PATENTOFFICE 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to batteriesmv This invention is moreparticularly adapted to be used in' electric storage batteries of theleadacid type; electrochemical devices for storing energy in chemicalform,A so that it can be released as electricity. v

This inventionis directed to the terminal constructions of such a deviceand has particular utility in sealing the apertures about the terminalposts. .f

Another object of this invention is to provide reinforcements for thebattery cover, especially in the regions about the terminalposts.

Still another object of this invention is yto in.- deiinitely maintainthe sealingbetween the terminal posts and the cover under all normalworking conditions to which the battery may be subjected.

Still another object of `this invention is to provide battery terminalconstructions vof inherent strength which are easily assembled and formacid-tight seals between the postsand container and maintain such sealsfor the life of the battery. .y ;L Y

Other objects and advantages-ofy this invention relating to thearrangement, operationandv function of the related elements of thestructure, to various details of construction,to combinations of partsand to economies of manufacture, will be apparent to those skilled' inthe art upon con'- sideration of the following' description and appendedclaims, reference being had to'the accompanying drawings forming a partof this specication wherein like reference characters designatecorresponding parts in the several views. v Y

' Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a section throughthe upper portion of a storage batteryhaving'l features of the invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is a view on the line' II-II, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 vis a fragmentarysection through'the cover of a storage batteryembodying a 'modified form of terminal-'seal f j i Fig. 4 is a view onthe line IVVIV, Fig.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section through-the lower portion of a batterycover lbloss illustrating an additional form ofthe invention;

Fig. 6 is a view, similar to Fig'. .5, showing. another form of theinvention; I.

Fig. 'l is a plan view of.l amodication ofthe reinforcing ring whichmaybe used in lthe invention herein; and,

Fig. 8 is a view, similar to Fig. 6, wherein a stm (Cl. 13G-168)reinforcing ring of the type shown in Fig. 7 is entirely embedded withina terminal boss.

Storage battery l0 comprises container I2 which may be of molded hardrubber or some suitable bituminous composition and is provided withcover I4 of a similar or like material having acid-tight seal I6therewith.

Within the container I2 is an energy source assembly including a seriesof positive plates I8, negative plates 20, separators 22, and anelectrolyte 24. Groups of the alternating plates are assembled with poststraps 26 extending from terminal posts 28. These posts are designed tohave various connections attached thereto as, for example, a cellconnector 30 or an electric supply cable (not shown). The post strapsand terminal posts may be of some suitable material, as for example, acasting of an alloy of lead and antimony. Such constructions may bereinforced by tin-plated copper pins 32 which not only strengthen theposts but increase the electrical conductivity thereof while at the sametime these pins are fully protected from attack by the electrolyte ofthe battery or other corrosive substances. In the production of themolded covers I4 strength is imparted thereto by providing bosses 34extending therefrom, which bosses 34 provide sufcient foundation for theterminal structures. These bosses have apertures 36 therethrough,axially of which the terminal posts may extend from the energy-storingmeans within the container to the exterior thereof for receiving thedesired connections. In batteries of this type there is also provided aboss 38 for each cell having filler openings 40 therethrough, whichopenings are normally closed by vent plugs 42. 4By hithertofore knownconstruction it was not luncommon to have the acids from the batteryseep therefrom through the apertures 36, `thus causing exteriorcorrosion of the parts and other damage.v It is the purpose of thisinvention to cure this defect, not only temporarily but for the life ofthe battery as used under normal working conditions. To this end, aflexible bushing 44, of resilient material such as live or an acceptablesynthetic rubber preferably of the Buna or Chloroprene types of a ShoreDurometer hardness of 40 to 55, known under trade-names of GRf-S orNeoprenes FR. and GN is placed about the terminal post 28 and may bedirectly inserted between the post and the boss 34 and resting against a,seat formed thereon. In theassembly, this 'bushing44 is preferably heldunder. com- .pressionrbetween'the inner vface of the boss, theyseat,`a`nd4 the vouter" facei'of lthe terminal post.

therein. `.anchor the ringsld withlthe covenandareherein vshown as aplurality .of one or more fins .52 -ex- Vtended from and embedded in thebossesand Under ideal working conditions, this assembly would ordinarilyprovide ample protection against acid leakage but under the usualconditions encountered by batteries of this type, it has been found thatin time the moldable compositions from which the covers are fabricatedhave a tendency to shrink or flow, especially when subjected totemperature changes accompanied by jarring and vibrations. Under theselatter conditions, even to the extent encountered in military vehicles,means are provided by this invention to defeat such reactions. As adesirable solution of this problem, rings .48 made of Va suitablematerial not affected by "the actionpf lthe electrolyte, preferably analloy of lead and antimony are placed as linings for the apertures 38and provide recesses 59 about the terminal posts. These rings may besimple die-castingsjrigidin comparison to the cover-forming materials.In this type of construction, Lthe lexiblebushings '44 arecompressedwithinthe recesstll aboutthe terminal. posts and..heldagainstthe seats 59 .Means v.may beprovided securely to body..'Ihisconstruction provides asecurely held ring,`\vhich,..in.tui-ri,.serves as -a reinforcement `for2the cover inthe.vicinity about the terminal post. l This same-eiect maybe accomplished,asshow in Figure 3, When the flexible bushing lies directlybetweenthefterniinal postand boss, by surrounding the `exterior .of theboss with areinforcement -crrestraining band or ring .54 ofcomparatively rigid .material vpressed into location. l This ringprevents the bossfroin expanding and vopening up any leakage passagewayalong fthe aperture Stand evenshould there besome small expansion, theflexible .bushing being under compression, .would compensate therefor.

While -thelring maybe pressed onthe. out side of the boss oiy apremolded cover, it mayalso befplaced .in seat Y59 `as .illustratedinFigure by proper vplacing Vin a mold atthetime the Ycover is formed.

Still anotheraiorm of the inventionA may compriseri'ng ,orv band .58pressedormolded into seat Sii (Fig. 6) about a terminus of the boss.

The reinforcing maylikewise befaccomplished as shownr in Figures 7` and8, bytheuse aoi a ring or band l52 `having ribs 64 thereon andthis type.ofring .or evenva smooth surface, corrugated, or vmilled ring maybeentirelyembedded Within the boss 34 during the .fabricationof the cover.

Intheassembly of the parts showninFigure 1, thefterminal post, whethertapered or not,.may

be-thrust through the aperture 35 with a flexible .bushing between itand the v.cover to compress ysaid' bushing therebetween Finalpositioning maybe determined by stops' on the posts Ialso servingas thecover mounts. Itis some times desirable to lubricate the posts beforeassembly and it is found that while glycerine or somesuch todiscloseanembodimentthereof to those skilled in the art, but that the invention isnot to be construed as limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement oi parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of being practiced and carriedout in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.The language used in the specification relating to the operation andfunction of the elements of the invention is employed for purposes ofdescription and not of limitation.

- What is claimed and it is desired to obtain by United States LettersPatent:

1. In an electric storage battery including a container housingelectrodes and an electrolyte therein, a molded cover for said containerand provided with an aperture, a boss formed on said cover extendingtoward said electrodes pierced by said aperture, a terminal postextending from one of said electrodes through the aperture and inconcentric relation with the boss, a resilient bushing positioned 2 incompressed relation-be tween'said terminal post and the aperture, and

va reinforcing ring positioned externally of said Vboss for maintaining`compression upon the resilient bushing.

2. In an electric A-storagebattery including a container for housingelectrodes and an electrolyte therein, a molded cover therefor providedwith a downwardly extending boss pierced by an aperture, a terminal postextending from one of said electrodes`r` extending throughthe aperturein the boss, av body of -resilient material positioned --between thevterminal post `and the aperture-in compressed condition to form a seal,and a=reinforcing ring having portions embedded in said boss vto preventexpansion ofthe cover material adjacent the boss due to the compressedcondition ofthe resilient material.

v3. In 'an electric storage 7battery including a container housingelectrodes and .an electrolyte therein, a molded cover therefor providedwith a downwardly extending bosspierce'd by an aperture having adownwardly facing seat, a terlmina] post extending'fromy one of theelectrodes through the aperturaa resilient bushing of rubber-likematerialwpositioned under compression about the terminal postbetvveen'the terminal post andthe aperture against the seat, and areinforcing band of inert` metal cooperatingwith said boss tomaintain'the compressionon said bushing.

HARLAND D. WILSON.

REFERENCES 1 CITED The following references.A are .of record in the iileof this patent:

, `UNIIFE'D STATES PATENTS 2,242,599 'Raney ,May `20, 1941

